What are THCP and CBDP?

THCP and CBDP are recently discovered new cannabinoids which have a slightly longer chemical ‘side chain’ (extra molecules, but still the same basic structure) compared to the better-known THC and CBD molecules.

The cannabis community was stunned to read a recent scientific report indicating that THCP is over 30 times more efficient at bonding with the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system and 5-10 times better at binding with the CB2 receptors.

Will this mean new THCP-rich cannabis seeds that deliver new extreme levels of bliss, pleasure and relaxation? Many people hope for exactly that, raising the possibility that a Cannabis 2.0 revolution may not be too far away!

What are the THCP and CBDP cannabinoids?

Cannabis contains well over 100 different cannabinoid compounds. Other than THC and CBD, few have benefitted from much meaningful research.

Many of the cannabinoids have similar chemical structures. THCP & CBDP have a slightly longer carbon side chain compared to THC & CBD. It is thought that the longer carbon side chains allow more efficient interaction (or binding) with the mammalian endocannabinoid system.

The recently discovered endocannabinoid system allows animals to make use of the compounds found in cannabis. Though the initial research on the potency enhancements (especially regarding THCP vs THC) have only been conducted on mice there are high hopes that the same results would also result in potency enhancements being felt by humans.

THCP cannabinoid

THC and THCP are synthesised from the ‘mother’ cannabinoid known as Cannabigerol (CBG). CBG is able to convert into many other cannabinoids, including CBDP and THCP via a series of different chemical pathways. The various cannabinoids are created and stored in the trichome resin glands.

THC is the most well-known cannabinoid, responsible for the relaxing, stimulating and stress-busting cannabis high. It’s often found at levels around 15% in average potency cannabis strains but can increase to 20%+ levels in high THC cannabis seeds.

THCP vs THC
THC is mainly responsible for the anti-anxiety cannabis high. THCP is chemically identical apart from having a longer side chain than THC. It is thought that the extra length of the side chain allows significantly better binding with the human endocannabinoid system. This raises hopes of significant enhancements to cannabis potency levels. Future work may also include studies of related cannabinoids with even longer side chains, though that remains somewhat in the future.

CBDP cannabinoid

CBDP and CBD are both biochemically synthesised from CBG, the mother cannabinoid. CBDP has a side chain with extra carbon atoms compared to CBD. Unfortunately CBD only has a limited ability to bind with the CB1 and CB2 endocannabinoid receptors. So there are some hopes that CBDP will show enhanced binding ability compared to CBD. However it’s fair to say that more work needs to be done.

CBDP vs THC
THCP is gaining more attention than CBDP. That’s because initial studies suggest that THCP will bind with the human endocannabinoid system with great efficiency, raising the possibility that THCP-rich cannabis strains will be significantly more psychoactive than today’s THC-rich strains. However, CBDP will also prove to be of significant value if it can show enhanced ability to bind with the human endocannabinoid system more effectively than CBD.

How and when were THCP and CBDP discovered?

THCP and CBDP have probably always existed at low levels in random cannabis phenotypes. Many cannabis seed companies, and probably many growers too, have been puzzled by the medium-THC cannabis harvests which seem to boast potency levels far higher than expected.

It’s quite possible that THCP occasionally presents itself at noticeable levels entirely randomly.
THCP and CBDP were initially found and reviewed following Government work on cannabis strains in Italy. That work was led by Professor Giuseppe Cannazza of the University of Modena alongside Reggio Emilia, the team also included Cinzia Citti and Pasquale Linciano. Their sponsored work produced 2 strains known as FM1 and FM2.

What really excited the cannabis world was the presence of THCP and the findings that it binds so much more effectively to the CB1 & CB2 cannabis receptors in the endocannabinoid system.

Are there THCP-rich and CBDP-rich cannabis strains?

It’s quite likely that THCP and CBDP have been present at trace levels in some of the cannabis strains you have used.

If you have ever smoked a low-THC strain that provided an unexpectedly satisfying high, it’s quite possible that it contained low levels of THCP that boosted the overall potency. But as of mid-2022 there are no stable commercially available strains that are THCP rich.

There will probably be THCP-rich cannabis strains (and THCP cannabis seeds) becoming available at some point approaching/around the mid-2020’s. For Dutch Passion, it is important R&D which is taking priority over other projects. For experienced cannabis lovers that love the intense highs from THC edibles and premium strength cannabis concentrates, THCP rich cannabis will be one of the most exciting new developments ever!

THCP: The reason for extreme potency in medium-THC strains?

From time-to-time Dutch Passion, and perhaps some other cannabis seed suppliers have been puzzled by epic smoke reports from samples of cannabis with modest THC levels. Some sketchy attempts to attribute the added potency to e.g. terpene profiles have never really been fully convincing. Many now believe that these high-potency, low/medium-THC strains were boosted by trace levels of THCP.

What about Dutch Passion and THCP cannabis seeds?

Mahmoud Hanachi is Head of Genetics at Dutch Passion and one of the driving forces behind new cannabinoid evolution. He has helped Dutch Passion pioneer and introduce Special Cannabinoid cannabis seed collection, producing plants rich in THCV, CBG, CBDV.

Hanachi also wants Dutch Passion to be the first company to release cannabis seeds that will produce plants rich in THCP. Hopefully they will eventually be available both in feminised seeds and autoflowering cannabis seeds.

The good news is that some special cultivars have been identified that are rich in THCP. THCP levels are currently fairly low (below 0.25%). But selective breeding work is ongoing to enhance those THCP levels as high as they can go. Remember that just 1% THCP could have the same psychoactive effects as a strain with 25-30% THC, or more.

“Dutch Passion are committed to being the first cannabis seed supplier able to offer strains that will be rich in THCP” added Mahmoud Hanachi. It’s still an R&D project and work-in-progress. But we have found cultivars rich in THCP and reliable analytical labs that can test for it too. Hopefully it’s just a matter of time before we get THCP levels where we want them, stabilise everything and get the seeds to the growers who are keen to experience the THCP cannabis 2.0 experience!”

What can THCP and CBDP do to your body?

THC and CBD are the two most well-known cannabinoids. THC is used by recreational and medical cannabis growers, the THC offering a range of effects that satisfy both types of grower. CBD has no psychoactive properties but is popular as a ‘wellness’ cannabinoid.

THCP, with its superior ability to interact with the endocannabinoid system, may seem like THC ‘on steroids’. Likewise, if CBDP can demonstrate superior bindability than CBD there will be huge high street interest.

However, it’s fair to say that very few people have yet had chance to sample the current THCP cultivars that are being used as the basis for ongoing breeding and the work is far from complete. Critically, THCP has a genuinely surprising effect at influencing the psycho-activity of a cannabis strain even at low levels.

The exciting part will be finding out what is the maximum limit/level of THCP. The first THCP strain may well contain both THC and THCP and may well end up being one of the strongest cannabis strains (if not the strongest) ever created. Exciting times ahead for cannabis users!

THCP effects and potential benefits

The most likely effects from THCP will be intensely powerful psychoactive effects. Just 0.5% THCP in the buds is likely to feel equivalent to up-to/around 15% THC.

Imagine how strong a strain would feel with 1-2% THCP and 15-20% THC. Medical cannabis users will also be keen to see the effects of THCP on pain relief. Many expect similar properties to THC, but probably highly amplified.

Many use cannabis to aid sleep, it’s quite possible that THCP will help with that, but again real-word results and feedback from the Dutch Passion quality control team will be all-important. One interesting question will be how THC and THCP interact together. Will the high be manageable or too much for casual cannabis users?

CBDP effects and potentials benefits

For many CBD users, a sense of calm & well-being are often reported as the main benefits. It is hoped that CBDP will amplify these properties. But it’s important to note that CBD doesn’t have the same ability to interact with the human endocannabinoid system compared to THC or THCP. So expectations for the impact of CBDP are somewhat below those of THCP.

How strong are THCP and CBDP?
THCP is thought to the around 30 times stronger than THC. In other words, a strain with 1% THCP might feel as strong as a strain with 30% THC. However final THCP rich genetics are still ‘work in progress’ so more confirmatory work needs to be completed. The main hope is for THCP to deliver significant potency improvements in cannabis, to new levels where only a small pinch of weed is required to get high. CBDP has a slightly less clear picture, more work needs to be done before definitive claims can be made.

What are the side effects of THCP and CBDP?

Difficult to say at this stage. Already it is clear that a strain with 1-2% THCP will be in a different league to even the strongest modern cannabis strain. Most probably, THCP rich cannabis strains will be treated with the same reverence /potency-expectations as todays THC cannabis concentrates.

THCP side-effects

Over-indulging is likely to be one of the main side effects of using THCP rich cannabis buds. This could mean severe munchies and professional levels of couchlock for those that get carried away. However, cannabis consumers have been used to the different potency levels of weed vs cannabis concentrates for many years, so responsible cannabis users would have few concerns.

CBDP side-effects

It’s still a little too early to say what, if any, CBDP side effects will be.

Are THCP and CBDP safe?
They probably are. That is because both THCP & CBDP are naturally produced cannabinoids that have, in all likelihood, always been occasionally present at low levels in cannabis. However, if the extreme potency of THCP is confirmed then the cannabis industry will need to show great responsibility in the way THCP cannabis seeds (and THCP products) are marketed and sold. The goal is to ensure that no-one over-indulges THCP through ignorance. The best way to control the sale of cannabis products, and to prevent them falling into the hands of children, is of course to have licensed legal production with strict purchasing rules.

Can I buy THCP and CBDP-rich cannabis seeds?

Within a couple of years, it is hoped that growers will be able to see the first THCP/CBDP rich cannabis seeds becoming available. It’s also likely that more information will emerge about the real-world potency enhancements that THCP can deliver.

Dutch Passion couldn’t be more excited, or committed, about their goal of being the first major cannabis seed supplier to be able to offer THCP seeds and CBDP seeds. Work is ongoing and candidate strains have been identified for onward breeding.

The mainstream media and authorities will perhaps scare-monger around the breeding work. Just as they did in the 1980’s when the cannabis seed industry first emerged. But THCP and CBDP may also offer some important medical uses. Studies will be needed. But THC has numerous medical applications, it seems logical that the medical community will also find a role for THCP with its potentially superior strength and pain-killing properties.

For most cannabis growers, the most exciting aspect of THCP is related to the 30-fold increase in potency compared to THC. Make no mistake, if THCP lives up to its reputation for enhanced potency then THCP will be the biggest revolution in cannabis history.

Cannabis 2.0 could be just around the corner!